Ending madcap planning in Ottawa

By Ken RubinJan. 21, 2019

Too many of the signature building projects in Ottawa amount to a poor use of valuable public space.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and the National Capital Commission haven't set the bar high enough when it comes to approving some of Ottawa's most important development projects, writes Ken Rubin. The Hill Times file photograph

OTTAWA—Ottawa seems to be prone to selecting poor locations for important projects or to giving away prime locations for private and less important projects. The latter is true for LeBreton Flats, and the former the case for the location sites chosen for a joint federal-local library and for a new Civic Hospital.

Gerald Butts has removed himself from the daily political grind of strategizing how to keep the Liberals in power. But observers say it's unlikely he will be consigned to watch the campaign unfold from the sidelines.

SNC-Lavalin risks a takeover if it's convicted. But aside from likely outrage in Quebec, Ottawa can find other builders for its infrastructure plans if the company is banned from bidding on federal contracts, experts say

The Quebec company had extensive access to government ministers and top staffers, and was the only organization registered to lobby for allowing deferred prosecution agreements for white collar crimes.